Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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256.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24605/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.

Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.

We also have a large modular accommodation programme delivering urgently needed school places. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.

The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.

At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.

I can confirm that the application from the school in question is currently being considered by my officials. Once the assessment process has been finalised the school authority will be notified of the decision directly.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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257.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a building project for a school (details supplied); to confirm if a site has been identified; and when it is anticipated that this project will commence. [24620/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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A potential property has been identified to provide permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy.

An architectural consultant has determined that it is feasible to develop this site and property to provide the accommodation required by the school.

Given the sensitivities associated with acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.

The Department will continue to address the interim accommodation requirements for the school and will continue to keep the patron body and school community updated.

I wish to assure you that the provision of a permanent location for this school is a priority for the Department.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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258.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the building project for a school (details supplied); to confirm at what stage matters are currently at; and when it is anticipated that building works will commence. [24621/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Department is progressing the acquisition of a site at Fassaroe, Bray, Co. Wicklow as a permanent location for the school to which he refers. In that context, the project brief for a new 1,000 pupil school building for the school in question is currently being finalised by my Department and it is our intention to progress the project into architectural planning as soon as possible.

It is not possible at this point to give an indication of the timeframe for the commencement of construction, particularly in the context of inter-dependencies between the school delivery and adjacent housing infrastructure provision. However, I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work to progress this project and will continue to liaise with the school patron in this regard.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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259.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when it is likely that building works will commence for a school (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24622/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The permanent building project for the school referred to by the Deputy, will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school with accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered under my Department’s Design & Build programme.

A Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issued to the successful contractor on 31/05/24, which will allow the contractor to begin to mobilise on site. Initial site works will commence as soon as the contractor has mobilised and the construction duration for the project is estimated at some 65 weeks.